ISSN 2039-2117 (online) Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences Vol 6 No 4 S2 ISSN 2039-9340 (print) MCSER Publishing, Rome-Italy July 2015 Historical Relationship between the Buddhists and the Muslims in Sri Lanka Ahamed Sarjoon Razick Doctoral Candidate, The National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia , Lecturer, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, University Park, Oluvil, Sri Lanka
[email protected] Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ahmad Sunawari Long Department of Theology and Philosophy, The National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamarudin Salleh Department of Theology and Philosophy, The National University of Malaysia (UKM), Malaysia Doi:10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4s2p278 Abstract That Sri Lanka is a pluralistic nation is an undeniable fact. It is the home of many communities which have contributed to its being for a long time. It is this variety, this unity in diversity, which gives it strength and beauty. In this multi-ethnic social environment, members of all communities live in peace and harmony with in social integration one with another. Accordingly, since settling down in the island more than1200 years ago, the Muslims established very cordial ties with the Buddhist people in Sri Lanka. The relationship between them may be cited as a unique example of ethnic harmony in multi-religious societies. Evidently, this is a longstanding relationship formed over a very long period of time and developed and preserved with trust and good understanding between these two communities. As such, it has stood the test of time and has been able to withstand the numerous attempts made by various colonial powers and chauvinistic racist elements to destroy it.